Cadex-2009 showcases Indo-Lanka Naval rapport

by Ananth PALAKIDNAR

The combined training exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan
Navies code named 'Cadex-2009 'proved, that the Lankan Navy is not
second to the 'blue water' Indian Navy as far as the basics of a Naval
force is concerned.

'Cadex-2009' was the first training exercise between the Indian and
Lankan Navies since the island nation achieved victory against terrorism
early this year.

Indian Navy remains a regional super power in South Asia with the
possession of ultra modern aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers and
war ships equipped with cruise missiles.

India also played a considerable role in supporting Sri Lanka in its
war against terrorism. The terrorist outfit LTTE remained a headache for
India and Sri Lanka with its water borne wing known as sea tigers.

However, the constant vigilance of the Indian and Lankan Navies
prevented the terrorist sea goers taking the upper hand in the seas of
both countries with Lankan Navy finally annihilating the sea tiger
terrorism in the sub continent waters.

Indian Navy chopper Cheetac takes off
from INS Shardul for ‘Helo Ops’ exercise.

Indian Naval ship 'Shardul' and Indian Cost Guard ship 'Varuna' along
with 141 Indian Naval cadets engaged in the training exercise code named
Cadex - 2009 at a distance of 35 nautical miles south west of Colombo
Harbour.

The Lankan Naval vessels with 100 Sri Lankan cadets taking part in
the exercise were SLNS Sayura and SLNS Samudra.

The imposing vessels of both Navies cruised out of the break waters
of Colombo Harbour at 9 a.m. on October 6 towards south western waters
of the island and sailed for five and a half hours to reach the spot
where the manoeuvring of both Navies were held.

Cadets with their
instructor on board.

It was on SLNS Hansaya, a Singapore built Fast Passenger craft
commanded by Lt. Com Roshan Nisanka the media men were taken to witness
the 'Cadex-2009' exercise and the Navy's media spokesperson Captain D.
K. P. Dassanayaka was on the upper deck of SLNS Hansaya briefing on the
entire exercise.

The joint training exercises between the two Navies has been taking
place for the past ten years. The prime intention of the exercise of
both Navies is to make their respective cadets familiarise with each
other along with exchanging the Naval skills to deal with the challenges
they come across.

India, with its conventional wars against Pakistan and China in the
past, remains a 'blue water' Navy on par with other super powers in the
world.

However, the Lankan Navy is unique in many ways in breaking the 'back
bone' of the sea tigers which was supposed to be the deadliest terrorist
outfit in the seas having staged numerous attacks against the Lankan
Navy.

The sea tiger outfit also had bigger vessels for its gun running
activities and brought down deadly weapons posing threats to the
integrity of the island nation.

A drill on the deck.

The commitment and untiring efforts of the Lankan sailors played a
tremendous role in shattering the LTTE's penetration of the seas with
the sinking of several of the terror outfit's vessels in the waters of
Sri Lanka.

So, with Lankan cadets gaining the knowledge in the upkeep of a `blue
water Navy' from India, the Indian cadets were also able to learn
extensively from the experiences of the Lankan Navy in crushing
terrorism in the seas.

The battle hardened Lt. Com. Kathriarachchi, who was on board with
the journalists in SLNS Hansaya, described the hardships the SL Navy
experienced during the battle against sea tiger terrorists.

"We had to face amputation of hands, wrists and legs while facing
high calibre guns. Unlike on the ground, the conditions in the high seas
are extremely difficult in treating the injured. However, our sailors
were brave enough to tackle the situation despite the turbulent
conditions," Lt. Com. Kathriarachchi marvelled.The 'Cadex-2009',
training exercise focused mainly on dealing with the challenges with
regard to piracy, smuggling and rescue operations with the Naval ships
manoeuvring the task of exchanging men and materials while sailing on
the high seas.

The `Cheetac' helicopter, which took off from the Indian Naval Ship
Shardul's helipad, flew over the entire sea area of the exercise and
descended above the SLNS Sayura, greeting the Lankan officers and
cadets.

SLNS Sayura and SLNS
Samudra.

While highlighting the abilities of the Indian Navy's air wing,the
exercise also proved that Lankan Navy's Sayura could also respond
precisely to any air mobilisation while cruising on the high seas.

The exercise could also be considered a prelude to Sri Lankan Navy
gaining its own air wing in time to come.

The entire exercise lasted for three days with the ships returning to
the Colombo base last Thursday.

The 141 Indian cadets were also taken on sight-seeing tours to
Trincomalee and Diyatalawa.

Due to the war against the LTTE terrorists, the Indo-Lanka Naval
joint exercise, which is an annual feature, did not take place last
year.

But with Vice Admiral Thissara Samarasinghe becoming the new chief of
the Lankan Navy the links that have been enjoyed by Indo-Lanka Navies
have been given a new boost with the joint training exercise
`Cadex-2009' putting a spring in the step.

While observing `Cadex-2009' from the upper decks of SLNS Hansaya,
one was able to see the true seamanship of the crew of the fast
passenger craft skipperd by Lt. Com Roshan Nisanka.

Cadex-2009 high sea
manoeuvring is in progress.

The SLNS Hansaya which was used extensively in the North-Eastern
waters when the operations against the LTTE was in progress, is capable
of carrying hundred passengers.

On the other hand, the entire crew of SLNS Hansaya also proved that
they were good at winning the hearts and minds of the passengers who
were on board with their prompt hospitality.